Derk’s new Universal carrier Mk 1*

[derk derin]

As I was working on the flare rounds bin, Dave came over with a box of stuff that went with the carrier. Another exciting day for me! He had the FUC-01 manual with the waterproof cover and both inserts still there, the FUC-02 Illustrated parts manual, a spare carrier carburetor, a carrier trouble light, brass 1 inch flare pistol with 4 empty flare rounds that were fired off and a pile of American 1 inch flare rounds that were March,April & May 1945 dated.
The brass flare pistol was an exciting gift as in all my years of collecting I never owned the brass flare pistol.
The most exciting was the proper Mark 1* carrier manual with the waterproof cover. That was on my want list but wasn’t hopeful of ever finding one as I’ve never seen one before. Just a few images online.

[derk derin]

These foldout charts are almost always missing so it was nice they were still in the manual.

[Alex van de Wetering]

Excellent work on the seats, Derk! Lovely that you manged to find fabric so close to the look and texture of the orginal.

Am I the only one that thought.....is that a WS19 antenna mount used to fix the thread holder to the Singer table?

[derk derin]

Today I was back at the sewing machine. Another seemingly simple job took me hours to do! First attempt at sewing the pouch together left the side strip an inch short so I had to cut all my stitching and do it a second time.
The second attempt went way better when I extended the piece by an inch. Then when I was done I realized I sewed the panels on backwards so had to cut all the stitching again. Go upstairs for a coffee break and then try again for the 3rd time. I finally got it right so I had the confidence to make my second one! Now that they’re both done (with the wooden inserts) I have to go find some strips of leather tomorrow so I can finish off the leather edging.
I used old duffle bags for material and didn’t want to waste the Cbroadarrow stamp so I cut out the pattern so it would show inside the flap.
There’s no doubt that 2 Boyes magazines fit well into this pouch. I knew I would never find spare Boyes magazines so I cut apart an old metal shelf and fabricated a couple dummy mags to store in the pouch.

[David Dunlop]

Nice sewing, Derk.

What was the normal issue of Boyes Magazines on the Universal Carriers and did they carry extra bulk rounds?


David

[rob love]

In the manual the carrier platoon in the infantry battalion it specifies that only one anti tank rifle was issued per 3 carriers of each section. There was a total of 4 sections per platoon along with a platoon commanders carrier and a recce carrier. As well, there was an assortment of motorcycles.

I have war establishment manuals somewhere which will better detail the issues and entitlement for weapons and possibly ammunition.

Notable also is that each section got one 2 inch mortar.

[derk derin]

Picked up some leather today to finish off the pouches. I had to take them apart again but eventually I was able to sew the leather edging on and add my snaps. Riveted the pouch on the metal mounting plate and they’re ready to install! Another piece of the puzzle done.